Villmanstrand Reseguide

Lappeenranta Airport is located right next to the centre of Lappeenranta, a popular tourism destination by Lake Saimaa only 35 km from Imatra, 230 km from Helsinki, 230 km from St. Petersburg (Russia) and 56 km from Vyborg (Russia). Bus line 4 from airport (busstop: Pilotinkatu) takes you to the City Centre 1-2 times per hour. Taxis are available.

Gateway between East & West: Lappeenranta

Lappeenranta is the second most popular travel destination in Finland and a hub of lakeside tourism along the shores of Lake Saimaa, Europe’s fourth largest lake. Surrounded by stunning nature, Lappeenranta is the meeting point of the EU and Russia, 215 km away from both Helsinki and St. Petersburg which you can conveniently visit for a day and return back at nightfall. Its fabulous outdoors and eco-tourism experiences during the hot summers or snowy winters seasoned with Karelian hospitality, make Lappeenranta a perfect get-away destination all year around. You can choose to stay in a high-standard spa or city-centre hotel, or in a lakeside cottage or holiday home, enjoying the luxury of peace and quiet. For a perfect day in the great outdoors enjoy the sunshine, go swimming in the lake, or taste the local specialities sold at the market places and gourmet restaurants.

Fantastic Experiences by the Lake Saimaa

Lappeenranta’s 18th Century Fortress, with its museums, craftsmen’s shops and cafes is absolutely steeped in rich history. The versatile cultural life is complemented by events and art exhibitions. During the Summer and Fall, several ships depart from the harbour, heading for the labyrinth of islands on Lake Saimaa or through the Saimaa Canal. An amazing port area provides fun both day and night year around and there you can rent snowshoes or skates to hop on the frozen surface during the winter months. Looking for something extreme? Dip yourself in a hole in the ice. You can also rent a pair of skis by the ski rental point by the airport. Or visit local ice hockey team SaiPa’s (national league of Finland) home game at the Ice Hockey Stadium. Complete the package with an excellent array of shopping venues, local delicacies or a relaxing afternoon at the spa.

Hundreds of Fabulous Cabins

Pleasant way to spend ones holiday is to stay in own cottage or villa and enjoy the beautiful nature and scenery. Many of the cottages are situated by the lake and have their own sauna as well as a rowing boat for lake excursions or fishing. You can choose from hundreds of cabins fit for year around use in the Lappeenranta Imatra Region. If your weekend get-away happens to be during the winter, the snowy surface of Lake Saimaa provides a plenitude of outdoor activities such as skiing, skating, snowshoeing and ice fishing. You can also try exciting ATV or snowmobile safaris, canoeing, rope descending, archery, paragliding on the frozen lake or take a ride on a sleigh pulled by a team of huskies! Enjoy the silence in the breathtaking nature all about – and hear the whisper of the wild in your ears.

Visit Russia from Lappeenranta

It is easy and safe to visit Russia from Lappeenranta. Most of the EU citizens can get tourist or business visas to Russia here. You can see the sights or stroll around in nearby Vyborg where linen and crystal are good bargains. St. Petersburg with its numerous canals, bridges and beautiful palaces is full of history, but at the same time pulsing with modern life: hot fashion, music, theatre and excellent restaurants is only about two hours away with train. From Lappeenranta you can also cruise down the unique 43 km long Saimaa Canal with its eight locks to Vyborg or continue to St. Petersburg and stay for 1-2 nights in Russia without a visa during the summer months. Magnificent culture and sights are available for all citizens of all countries visa-free provided you travel both ways by ship. The cruise offers relaxation and beautiful scenery along the way.

Golf at Finland's Most Beautiful Course

Lappeenranta offers various opportunities for lovers of sport and outdoor activities alike. Play a round at Finland’s most beautiful and quite challenging Tuosa Golf Course with splendid Saimaa views from almost all of its 18 holes. Historic Salpa Line fortifications can be seen right next to the course opened in the Spring of 2006. After the round you enjoy a great meal and sauna at the Club House overlooking the lake. The distance to Tuosa Course from the city centre is only 15 minutes by car. In addition to Tuosa there is Kahilanniemi’s 9-hole golf route next to Lake Saimaa with a water range only two kilometers from the city centre and Imatra Golf’s 18-hole Immala Lake course with a driving range, putting green, cafeteria and sauna.

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